What should relatives of those who have fibromyalgia know?

This post is aimed at relatives and the close circle that surrounds people with fibromyalgia.

Although Fibromyalgia is not noticeable, it is very real. Many people think that a person is not really sick unless they look sick. When you have fibromyalgia, the person can be full of health (on the outside), but inside a procession of terrible terrible symptoms.

Fibromyalgia is a difficult disease to understand. Although there is no cure, it can be managed to have quality of life. As all cases are different, treatments such as exercises, medications or therapies do not work equally well for everyone. It is a constant search to find what works best for you.

Do not let appearances deceive you. Often relatives may have the perception that the person with fibromyalgia is not making enough effort to feel better, because they do not eat well or do not exercise enough. The truth is that every effort that is made, no matter how small, is a job or sacrifice much greater than it would cost to make someone healthy.

Fibromyalgia is not a psychological problem. Many people think that it is impossible to have so many heartbreaking symptoms, and that nothing comes out in their medical exams, so they often attribute this condition to a problem of psychological origin. And it is important to know that there is enough scientific evidence to prove that it is a real condition.

With fibromyalgia, life can change completely. It is natural that the person with fibromyalgia can no longer do the same things as before, or that they need a lot of help from their relatives to be able to do them. This can involve from modifying habits to having to change jobs.

Fluctuation in activity levels is normal. A person with fibromyalgia may be very active for a day, as another day may not even get out of bed. The person is not lazy or pretending to avoid work. There will be days when your amount of energy will be very low. Fibromyalgia is a disease with many ups and downs.

The person with fibromyalgia lives in permanent suffering. Even if you do not express it constantly, you always feel pain throughout your body, exhaustion, and many external stimuli, such as smells, noise, lights, weather and other factors, can make your discomfort worse. Try to put yourself in his place all the time so you can understand him.

Sometimes the person with fibromyalgia avoids physical contact. You can experience a lot of pain with non-painful stimuli such as hand grips, slaps on the back, touches on the arms and shoulders, and even with a strong hug, in general, any touch that produces friction or friction. No one should be offended if at any time, it is about avoiding this kind of intimacy.

The fatigue of fibromyalgia is not a simple fatigue. It is not only physical exhaustion, but also mental exhaustion, which does not improve with rest, and may prostrate a person in bed for several days. The person feels consumed by fatigue, exhausted or exhausted.

The person with fibromyalgia is not antisocial or apathetic. Many times they refuse invitations or stop attending meetings, because they are exhausted, they are going through a crisis, or because having a limited amount of energy, they are afraid that certain activities may trigger an outbreak, which could worsen all of their symptoms. moment to another.

Fibromyalgia causes cognitive problems. The person forgets things (sometimes small, sometimes important) and has difficulty concentrating; This is known as fibroneblin. It often causes them to lose things or feel disoriented.

Avoiding stress is essential for the person with fibromyalgia. It has been shown that stress exacerbates the symptoms of fibromyalgia, increasing their pain, fatigue and malaise. Try to provide a quiet environment at home and avoid situations and stressors.

The person with fibromyalgia tends to be isolated. This does not mean that you want to end your social life or that you no longer appreciate yourself. On the contrary, try to understand and maintain contact with her, showing that you have your affection and support when you need it. Offer your help for a task that at some point you can not do or can not do alone, such as shopping or picking up children at school.

The support and understanding of their family members can make them feel better. Although there is very little you can do about the disease, do not treat it as if nothing happened, because this attitude can be perceived as apathy or disinterest, making you feel that you do not care, which affects both your relationship with you and your health physical and emotional. On the contrary, help him with household chores that may involve He put a lot of effort into it, like hanging clothes or making beds. Family members of someone with fibromyalgia should stay well informed. If you still do not know what this disease is about, search the Internet, there are countless sources of information about it, which will allow you to help your loved one to manage it better. Accompany him to his medical appointments. This is one of the best ways to show your support. In addition, you support him to complete the treatments, at the same time that you understand the state of his condition and his progress. Good communication is fundamental in the family. Fibromyalgia generates feelings both in the patient and in the other members of the family. It is essential to express them healthily to avoid resentments and hostile attitudes that can only worsen the symptoms or cause a crisis in the patient. I hope these simple tips will reach all those who have a loved one who is sick with fibromyalgia or some other chronic pain condition.